NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE TA XTPlus 100C Texture Analyzer

Notice of Intent: The USDA, ARS, SEA intends to award a sole source procurement to Texture Technologies Corporation, 6 Patton Dr., Hamilton, MA 01982, as they are the sole source for this type of instrument pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(l ) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The award will be for a TA XTPlus 100C Texture Analyzer. This is a mission critical instrument for the Poultry Research Unit's research in poultry housing management strategies which encompass the effects of lighting, thermal environment, nutrition, and vaccine platform development on live performance and product yield and quality for both eggs and broiler meat. An instrument capable of detecting and quantifying abnormal muscle textures (i.e. woody breast) is required in addition to measuring egg quality properties such as shell breaking strength and deformation, Haugh unit, shell thickness, and vitelline membrane strength. The only known instrument capable of providing these measurements in the same instrument is the TA XTPlus 100C Texture Analyzer and the only known source is Texture Technologies Corporation. For research consistency, two replacement instruments are being procured for continued research.

The Government intends to award a firm fixed price Purchase Order on or about March 6, 2019, using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This Notice of lntent is not considered a Request for Quotation (RFQ) nor is it a Request for Proposals (RFP). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will consider all responses received by 2:00 PM central time, March 5, 2019. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via email/mail to the Contracting Officer at the following address:

Contracting Office Address:
Shalunda Mix (CO)
USDA-ARS-SEA
141 Experiment Station Road Stoneville, MS 38776-0225
Shalunda.mix@ars.usda.gov

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